# Balwyn

Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile

Located in: Victoria › Greater Melbourne › Boroondara › 3103, VIC

Area: 6 km²

Higher education levels and incomes set Balwyn apart from the rest of Victoria. This is a prosperous and well-qualified community where nearly half of adults hold a university degree. It is a multicultural hub with a large proportion of residents born overseas, particularly from China. The area is an established residential pocket with a population that is noticeably older than the national figure, and it is characterized by high home ownership and a very walkable layout.

## Demographics & Identity

The typical resident is 43, making the area noticeably older than the state and national figures. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 21.8% of the population, a figure that rose 3.3 points since 2011.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 16,163 | +3.7% since 2011 |
| Median age | 43 yrs | +2.4% since 2011 |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 0.2% | +112.1% since 2011 |
| People aged 65 and over | 21.8% | +17.6% since 2011 |
| Children under 15 | 16.0% | -2.1% since 2011 |
| People in a de facto relationship | 5.2% | +29.9% since 2011 |

**Age structure** — Older adults (45–64) 26.4%, Young adults (25–44) 22.0%, Seniors (65+) 21.8%, Children (0–14) 16.0%, Youth (15–24) 13.8%

**Marital status** — Married 54.9%, Never married 31.6%, Widowed 5.9%, Divorced 5.8%, Separated 1.9%

## Ancestry & Birthplace

A large proportion of the community was born overseas, with 44.2% of residents born abroad—far above the national figure. This is reflected in the ancestry data, where Chinese (33.6%), English (22.1%), and Australian (17.5%) are the most common groups.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People born overseas | 44.2% | +25.8% since 2011 |

**Country of birth** — Australia 53.0%, China 17.0%, India 3.4%, England 2.4%, Vietnam 1.5%, New Zealand 1.1%, Italy 0.9%, South Africa 0.5%, Philippines 0.3%, Nepal 0.1%

**Ancestry** — Chinese 33.6%, English 22.1%, Australian 17.5%, Irish 8.8%, Scottish 7.0%, Italian 5.4%, Indian 4.2%, Greek 4.0%, German 2.3%, Vietnamese 2.0%, Dutch 0.9%, Filipino 0.4%

## Language

Language diversity is high here, with 43.9% of people using a language other than English at home, a figure that rose 12 points since 2011. Mandarin is the most common non-English language, spoken by 21.5% of residents.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People using another language at home | 43.9% | +36.3% since 2011 |
| People who speak little or no English | 8.2% | +9.5% since 2016 |

**Language used at home** — English only 53.2%, Mandarin 21.5%, Cantonese 6.0%, Greek 2.4%, Vietnamese 1.4%, Hindi 1.3%, Italian 1.2%, Arabic 0.4%, Punjabi 0.3%, Tagalog 0.2%

## Religion

A large share of the community reports having no religion, at 44.4%, which is well above the national figure. This represents a significant increase of 17 points since 2011.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with no religion | 44.4% | +59.5% since 2011 |

**Religious affiliation** — No religion 44.4%, Christianity 39.7%, Buddhism 5.5%, Not stated 4.4%, Hinduism 3.6%, Islam 1.2%, Other religions 0.7%, Judaism 0.3%

## Education & Qualifications

Balwyn is among the most qualified areas in the country, with 48.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This high level of education is consistent with the area's high school advantage scores.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Completed Year 12 | 81.5% | +10.8% since 2011 |
| Adults with a bachelor degree or higher | 48.8% | +25.8% since 2011 |
| Schools | 7 | — |
| Schools per 1,000 children | 2.71 | — |
| Schools within 3 km | 62 | — |
| School enrolments | 3,041 | — |
| Average school size | 434 | — |
| Average school ICSEA | 1,179 | — |

**Highest year of school** — Year 12 81.5%, Year 11 5.6%, Year 9 or below 4.9%, Year 10 4.5%

**Highest qualification level** — Bachelor degree 43.3%, Postgraduate degree 19.9%, Advanced diploma / diploma 13.7%, Certificate III / IV 7.2%, Graduate diploma / certificate 5.7%, Certificate I / II 0.6%

**Field of qualification** — Management & commerce 27.6%, Health 13.8%, Society & culture 12.4%, Engineering & related 10.4%, Education 7.7%, Natural & physical sciences 5.1%, Information technology 5.0%, Creative arts 4.2%, Architecture & building 3.3%, Food, hospitality & personal services 2.3%, Agriculture & environment 0.7%

## Income

Typical weekly family income is $2,556, which is a little above the state and national figures. About 32.1% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, a figure that rose 13 points since 2011.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median personal income (weekly) | $873 | +34.1% since 2011 |
| Median household income (weekly) | $2,017 | +28.5% since 2011 |
| Median family income (weekly) | $2,556 | +19.0% since 2011 |
| People earning $2,000+ a week | 20.4% | — |
| Households earning $3,000+ a week | 32.1% | — |

**Household income distribution** — $1,500–$2,999 24.6%, $4,000 or more 22.3%, $650–$1,499 21.3%, Under $650 15.5%, $3,000–$3,999 9.8%

**Personal income distribution** — Under $650 40.3%, $650–$1,499 25.4%, $1,500–$2,999 19.1%, $3,000 or more 11.2%

## Health & Disability

The community is in good health, with the rate of people having a long-term health condition (24.2%) and mental health conditions (5.9%) being much lower than most areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with a long-term health condition | 24.2% | — |
| People with a mental health condition | 5.9% | — |
| People needing help with daily activities | 4.8% | +25.9% since 2011 |

**Long-term health conditions reported** — Other condition 8.0%, Arthritis 7.5%, Asthma 6.6%, Mental health 5.9%, Heart disease 4.1%, Diabetes 3.8%, Cancer 3.2%, Lung condition 1.1%, Stroke 0.9%, Dementia 0.9%

**Number of long-term health conditions** — None 71.0%, One condition 16.8%, Two conditions 5.1%, Three or more 2.3%

## Community Participation

Volunteer rates are higher than most areas at 16.5%, though this has fallen 5.9 points since 2011. Unpaid care is also common, with 14.3% of people providing unpaid care.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteers | 16.5% | -26.4% since 2011 |
| People providing unpaid care | 14.3% | +13.6% since 2011 |
| People caring for children unpaid | 27.0% | +1.5% since 2011 |
| People who served in the Defence Force | 1.4% | — |
| People doing 15+ hours of unpaid housework | 22.6% | +0.9% since 2011 |

## First Nations

The First Nations community is small, numbering 33 people. However, this group has very high Year 12 completion rates (75.0%) and personal incomes that are well above the national figure.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people | 33 | — |
| First Nations median age | 25 yrs | — |
| First Nations Year 12 completion | 75.0% | — |
| First Nations unemployment rate | 11.1% | — |
| First Nations median personal income | $850 | — |
| First Nations household income | $2,687 | — |
| Speaks a First Nations language | 18.2% | — |

## Family & Households

Most homes are occupied by couples with children (62.6%), and the average household size of 2.6 people is slightly higher than the national figure.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average household size | 2.6 | -3.7% since 2011 |
| One-parent families | 13.0% | +19.9% since 2011 |
| People living alone | 25.4% | +1.8% since 2011 |

**Family composition** — Couples with children 62.6%, Couples without children 23.2%, One-parent families 13.0%, Other families 1.1%

**Household size** — 2 people 30.5%, 1 person 25.4%, 4 people 18.1%, 3 people 17.7%, 5 people 6.1%, 6 or more 2.2%

## Housing & Dwellings

Home ownership is strong, with 42.9% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure. However, the typical monthly mortgage payment of $3,000 is among the highest at this level.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median rent (weekly) | $461 | +29.9% since 2011 |
| Median mortgage repayment (monthly) | $3,000 | +36.4% since 2011 |
| Average people per bedroom | 0.80 | -27.3% since 2011 |
| Households renting | 25.8% | +12.9% since 2011 |
| Homes owned outright | 42.9% | -9.0% since 2011 |
| Separate (detached) houses | 59.6% | -11.9% since 2011 |
| Homes with three or more bedrooms | 69.1% | -0.1% since 2011 |

**How homes are owned or rented** — Owned outright 42.9%, Owned with a mortgage 27.0%, Rented 25.8%, Other tenure 3.2%, Not stated 1.1%

**Types of homes** — Separate house 59.6%, Townhouse / semi-detached 25.6%, Flat or apartment 14.4%, Other dwelling 0.1%

**Bedrooms per home** — 3 bedrooms 30.0%, 4 bedrooms 25.8%, 2 bedrooms 25.4%, 5 or more 13.3%, 1 bedroom 4.5%, Studio / none 0.1%

**Weekly rent distribution** — $350–$549 48.0%, $750 or more 17.4%, $550–$749 16.7%, $200–$349 9.9%, Under $200 4.2%

**Monthly mortgage distribution** — $3,000 or more 48.5%, $1,800–$2,999 17.7%, Under $1,000 13.7%, $1,000–$1,799 12.5%

## Transport & Vehicles

Working from home is very common here, with 38.4% of the workforce doing so—far above the national figure. While 38.6% still commute by car, the area has high public transport frequency.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Homes with no motor vehicle | 7.0% | -21.0% since 2011 |
| People working from home | 38.4% | +546.9% since 2011 |
| Commuting by public transport | 3.4% | -72.2% since 2011 |
| Public transport stops | 62 | — |
| PT stops per 1,000 people | 3.84 | — |
| Weekly PT departures per 1,000 people | 1,588.2 | — |
| Public transport routes | 11 | — |
| Walk to nearest stop (min) | 2 | — |
| Drive time to the city (min) | 15 | — |
| People reachable in 30 min by transit | 48,887 | — |
| People reachable in 45 min by transit | 187,940 | — |
| Transit time to the city (min) | 57 | — |

**How people get to work** — Car (driver) 38.6%, Worked at home 38.4%, Car (passenger) 3.0%, Walked 2.1%, Train 1.2%, Bus 0.7%, Bicycle 0.4%

**Motor vehicles per home** — 1 vehicle 39.9%, 2 vehicles 38.5%, 3 vehicles 10.0%, No vehicle 7.0%, 4 or more 4.6%

## Migration & Movement

The area has seen steady movement, with 40.3% of residents having moved in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 15.8% of the population.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People who moved in the last 5 years | 40.3% | +7.4% since 2011 |
| Recent arrivals from overseas | 15.8% | -24.1% since 2011 |

## Jobs & Industry

The workforce is heavily concentrated in professional and managerial roles, with 58.4% of workers in these occupations. The unemployment rate is 4.8%, which is about the same as the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | +2.1% since 2011 |
| Labour-force participation | 57.4% | -1.3% since 2011 |
| Employed full-time | 57.4% | -2.9% since 2011 |

**Industries people work in** — Health care & social assistance 16.7%, Professional & technical 13.6%, Retail trade 10.7%, Education & training 10.0%, Finance & insurance 6.6%, Accommodation & food 6.4%, Construction 4.8%, Public administration & safety 4.0%, Manufacturing 3.9%, Wholesale trade 3.6%, Rental & real estate 3.1%, Other services 2.5%, Transport & warehousing 2.5%, Administrative & support 2.4%, Media & telecommunications 1.8%, Arts & recreation 1.6%, Electricity, gas & water 0.5%, Agriculture, forestry & fishing 0.4%, Mining 0.2%

**Occupations people work in** — Professionals 38.7%, Managers 19.7%, Clerical & administrative 11.8%, Sales workers 9.2%, Community & personal service 7.3%, Technicians & trades 5.6%, Labourers 4.0%, Machinery operators & drivers 1.8%

## Economy & Advantage

Balwyn is a highly advantaged area, ranking in the top 10% for overall advantage. It is also among the top areas for education and job skills.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile) | 9 | — |
| Socio-economic disadvantage (IRSD decile) | 8 | — |
| Economic resources (IER decile) | 8 | — |
| Education & occupation (IEO decile) | 10 | — |
| Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD score) | 1,109 | — |
| Population estimate | 16,868 | — |
| Population growth since 2021 | 3.3% | — |
| Businesses | 2,776 | — |

## Environment & Climate

The area sees an average annual rainfall of 749mm, which is well above the Victorian average of 510mm.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average annual rainfall | 749 | — |
| Average maximum temperature | 20.4 | — |
| Average minimum temperature | 10.7 | — |

## Walkability

This is a walker's paradise with a score of 8.4. Every single home is within a 15-minute walk of a park and a school, and 99.9% are within 10 minutes of public transport.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Walkability score | 8.4 | — |
| Amenity types within a 15-minute walk | 8.0 | — |
| Homes with a 15-minute-city walkshed | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of groceries | 98.7% | — |
| Homes within 10 min walk of public transport | 99.9% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a school | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a park | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of health services | 99.1% | — |
| Walkable amenities per 1,000 residents | 12.1 | — |
| Street connectivity (intersections/km²) | 319 | — |
| Mean terrain slope | 5.9% | — |

## Schools serving Balwyn

62 schools, 35,689 students, average ICSEA 1,151.

By sector: Government 32, Independent 16, Catholic 14

By type: Primary 35, Combined 15, Secondary 12

Nearest 10 shown:

| School | Sector | Type | Distance | Students |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Balwyn Primary School | Government | Primary | 0.4 km | 574 |
| St Paul's College | Independent | Combined | 0.5 km | 50 |
| Fintona Girls' School | Independent | Combined | 0.6 km | 533 |
| Belmore School | Government | Combined | 0.6 km | 41 |
| Chatham Primary School | Government | Primary | 1.2 km | 241 |
| Balwyn High School | Government | Secondary | 1.4 km | 2,260 |
| Camberwell Grammar School | Independent | Combined | 1.5 km | 1,346 |
| Canterbury Girls Secondary College | Government | Secondary | 1.5 km | 775 |
| Greythorn Primary School | Government | Primary | 1.5 km | 434 |
| Balwyn North Primary School | Government | Primary | 1.6 km | 554 |

## Areas within Balwyn

[Balwyn Block 1](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114701/20701114701) · [Balwyn Block 2](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114702/20701114702) · [Balwyn Block 3](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114703/20701114703) · [Balwyn Block 4](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114704/20701114704) · [Balwyn Block 5](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114705/20701114705) · [Balwyn Block 6](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114706/20701114706) · [Balwyn Block 7](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114707/20701114707) · [Balwyn Block 8](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114708/20701114708) · [Balwyn Block 9](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114709/20701114709) · [Balwyn Block 10](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114710/20701114710) · [Balwyn Block 11](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114711/20701114711) · [Balwyn Block 12](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114712/20701114712) · [Balwyn Block 13](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114713/20701114713) · [Balwyn Block 14](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114714/20701114714) · [Balwyn Block 15](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114715/20701114715) · [Balwyn Block 16](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa1/20701114716/20701114716)

## Nearby areas

[Surrey Hills (West) - Canterbury](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/207011155/surrey-hills-canterbury) · [Balwyn North](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/207011148/balwyn-north) · [Kew - South](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/207011521/kew-south) · [Surrey Hills (East) - Mont Albert](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/207031167/surrey-hills-mont-albert) · [Camberwell](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/207011149/camberwell) · [Kew East](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/207011154/kew-east) · [Hawthorn East](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/207011152/hawthorn-east) · [Box Hill North](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/207031164/box-hill-north)

Interactive profile: https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/207011147/balwyn